Newmark Groundwater Contamination
EPA #: CAD981434517
State: California(CA)
County: San Bernardino
City: San Bernardino
Congressional District: 40
Other Names: North San Bernardino Muscoy Site
San Bernardino - Muscoy Area
Description and History
NPL Listing History
NPL Status: Final
Proposed Date: 06/24/88
Final Date: 03/31/89
Deleted Date:
The Newmark Groundwater Contamination site underlies approximately eight square miles of land in the northwestern and west-central portions of San Bernardino, California, which have been developed for light industry and residential use. The site consists of two contaminated groundwater plumes at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains: the Newmark Plume area extends for 5 miles on the eastern side of Shandin Hills, while the 4-mile long Muscoy Plume area lies to the west of Shandin Hills. The groundwater contamination from Norton Air Force Base is not considered part of this site.
Detection of the contamination occurred in 1980 with the institution of a water supply monitoring program, although the suspected disposal may have occurred as early as the 1940s. The discovery of the contaminants, including chlorinated solvents, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE), resulted in the closing of 20 water supply wells within a 6-mile radius of the site. Twelve of the wells resumed operation after the State installed air stripping towers on eight wells and carbon filtration systems on the other four.
The site covers part of an essential groundwater aquifer for the City of San Bernardino. The Bunker Hill Basin’s primary groundwater supplies water to the city and its surrounding areas. More than 25 percent of the municipal water supply for the City of San Bernardino's 175,000 residents has been affected by the advancing contamination plumes. The City of Riverside, with a population of approximately 250,000, relies on wells down gradient from the Newmark plume for approximately 75 percent of its total water supply. Over 115,000 people in the rapidly growing communities of Colton, Loma Linda, Fontana, Rialto, and several unincorporated areas also use well water unprotected from the contamination. No alternative water sources are currently available.
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Contaminants and Risks
Contaminated Media:
Groundwater
Groundwater contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including TCE and PCE. People who drink or come into direct contact with contaminated groundwater may suffer adverse health effects.
Who is Involved
This site is being addressed through Federal, State and municipal actions.
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Investigation and Cleanup Activities
This site is being addressed in two stages: (1) an immediate action to inhibit further spread of the two contaminant plumes (Newmark Plume and the Muscoy Plume); and, (2) long-term remedial actions addressing the Newmark Plume Area, the Muscoy Plume Area, and the source of the contamination.
Initial Actions
Immediate Action: In May 1992, the EPA conducted a soil gas investigation to evaluate the need for a removal action at a potential disposal site in a residential neighborhood. It was confirmed that a disposal trench existed but no VOCs were present. In-home air sampling confirmed that volatile contaminants from the groundwater were not detectable in residences above the contaminated groundwater. In October 1993, EPA conducted a state-of-the-art subsurface survey over several acres to investigate a potential military equipment disposal area. No buried waste was discovered.
Cleanup Ongoing
Newmark Plume Area: An investigation was initiated in 1990 to identify the source of the contaminant plume on the east side of the Shandin Hills, and to identify ways to control continued down-gradient migration of the plume while removing contaminants. The investigation determined that the contamination originated at least 2 miles upgradient of the site in another portion of the valley. An interim remedy was chosen in 1993 to pump and treat nearly 18 million gallons of contaminated water per day. This action will control the spread of contamination into clean parts of the aquifer and prevent additional contaminants from entering this part of the valley. The water will be treated by conventional activated carbon adsorption technology to meet all drinking water standards. The treated water will be delivered to the local municipal water departments, which will bear the majority of the operating costs. Design of the remedy began in 1993, property for 7 well sites was purchased in 1995 and construction was completed in October 1998. It is expected that the cleanup actions will take approximately 30 years.
Cleanup Ongoing
Muscoy Plume Area: The investigation of the Muscoy area began in 1992, identifying the source or sources of contamination and determining how to control the migration of the plume. In 1994, the EPA separated the Muscoy Area into two projects: the Muscoy Plume, targeted at controlling the spread of contamination into clean areas; and the Source project, which will address final cleanup of the source of contamination (described below). The interim remedy for the Muscoy Plume was chosen in 1995. The remedy involves pumping of approximately 9 million gallons per day from the leading edge of the plume (to prevent the further spread of contamination), treating the water with conventional technologies to drinking water standards, and delivering the treated water to local water departments. Design of the remedy began in 1995, and initial construction activities started Fall 2000. The facility began operation in 2005.
On August 18, 2004, the EPA issued an Explanation of Significant Differences to provide notice of changes to the 1993 and 1995 Interim Records of Decision for the site. The purpose was to supplement the existing RODs with an institutional controls program. It will assure that the Newmark and Muscoy treatment systems remain effective in meeting the objectives of capturing contaminated groundwater and inhibiting the movement of contaminated water into clean portions of the groundwater.
On August 18, 2004, a Consent Decree was lodged in the District Court which resolves a lawsuit brought by the City of San Bernardino and the Department of Toxic Substances Control against the U.S. Army over groundwater contamination. Under the settlement, the United States will pay to the City of San Bernardino $69 million. The City is required to use most of the money to operate and maintain the EPA's groundwater treatment remedies at the Newmark Superfund Site, for up to fifty years. In addition, the City will use some of the funds for other activities related to the cleanup, and build additional City treatment plants to expand its water treatment capacity.
Site Studies
Source Control: The investigation of potential groundwater contaminant source(s) is ongoing. The U.S. Army recently settled its potential liability for contamination at the Newmark Site; the Army leased approximately 1600 acres for use as a base from 1942 until 1947 and various activity areas on the former base property were investigated as potential contaminant source areas. However, EPA has not made a final determination regarding responsibility for the contamination. EPA has also been working with State, and San Bernardino City and County authorities to identify potential sources of groundwater contamination. EPA will continue its work to identify point sources of contamination and develop a comprehensive cleanup plan.
Cleanup Results to Date
After adding this site to the NPL, the EPA performed preliminary investigations and determined that no immediate actions were required at the Newmark Groundwater site while studies are ongoing and final cleanup activities are being planned. However, the San Bernardino Municipal Water Department has constructed and operated four wellhead treatment systems to ensure the safety of the public water supply. Presently, both the Newmark and Muscoy treatment systems are operating.
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Potentially Responsible Parties
Potentially responsible parties (PRPs) refers to companies that are potentially responsible for generating, transporting, or disposing of the hazardous waste found at the site.
On-line information about the PRPs for the site is not yet available.
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Documents and Reports
 | Administrative Records |
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| | Consent Decree for Newmark, 2004, map and link to text | |
| | Explanation of Significant Differences (to 1993 and 1995 Records of Decision), 2004 | |
| | Muscoy Plume Operable Unit | |
| | Newmark Operable Unit | |
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| 05/01/96 | La EPA los inicia obras de limpieza en el sitio
de Newmark en San Bernardino | |
| 08/01/97 | Groundwater Well Construction and Sampling Program Continues | |
| 03/01/98 | New River Update | |
| 10/01/98 | U.S. EPA Completes Construction of Treatment Facilities for Newmark Groundwater Contamination | |
| 02/01/00 | Newmark Groundwater Contamination Superfund Project--Construction Underway at Muscoy Operable Unit | |
| 05/01/00 | Notice of Community Meeting to Discuss EPA Well Construction Project
Una reunión para debatir sobre el proyecto de la construcción de pozos por la EPA | |
| 07/01/00 | Community Meeting on San Bernardino's Expansion of the 19th Street Facility / Reunion de la comunidad sobre la expansion de la planta del tratamiento de agua en calle 19 | |
| 10/01/00 | EPA Well Project Construction to Start / EPA inicia el proyecto de construir pozos | |
| 11/01/01 | EPA Well Project Construction Update (English & Spanish) | |
| 04/01/04 | EPA Well Project Progress Update(497k) | |
| 03/01/05 | U.S. EPA COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION OF MUSCOY TREATMENT FACILITY. | |
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| 05/11/04 | NEWMARK & MUSCOY OPERABLE UNIT CONSENT DECREE | |
| 05/11/04 | NEWMARK & MUSCOY OPERABLE UNITS CONSENT DECREE STATEMENT OF WORK | |
| 12/28/07 | THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Plaintiff) v. THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA (Defendant) | |
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| | All photos PDF files | |
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| | Explanation of Significant Differences (to 1993 and 1995 Interim RODs), Newmark and Muscoy OUs, 2004, Newmark ESD map and guidance bibliographies | |
| | Muscoy OU ROD: groundwater (1995) | |
| | NEWMARK OU: Record of Decision | |
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| 03/12/93 | NEWMARK OU: RI/FS Documents | |
| 12/02/94 | MUSCOY OU: RI/FS Documents | |
| 07/01/97 | NEWMARK OU: Remedial Design Documents | |
| 08/01/01 | MUSCOY OU: Construction Inspection Report for Extraction Wells Phase 1 Construction | |
| 09/01/04 | MUSCOY OU: 2003 Pumping Tests Technical Memorandum for Extraction Wells EW-108 and EW-112 | |
| 09/01/04 | NEWMARK OU: Operation, Maintenance, and Performance Manual for Newmark Treatment System | |
| 09/01/04 | NEWMARK OU: Remedial Action Report | |
| 09/25/04 | FINAL OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND PERFORMANCE MANUAL | |
| 09/25/04 | NEWMARK OU: Interim Remedial Action Report (Volume 1) | |
| 10/01/04 | NEWMARK OU: Cost And Performance Report | |
| 03/01/05 | NEWMARK OU: Newmark Plume Extraction Well Network Aquifer Testing Report | |
| 04/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for April 2005 | |
| 04/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for April 2005 | |
| 05/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for May 2005 | |
| 06/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for June 2005 | |
| 07/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for July 2005 | |
| 07/01/05 | NEWMARK OU: Released Site Index | |
| 08/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for August 2005 | |
| 09/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for September 2005 | |
| 10/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for October 2005 | |
| 11/01/05 | Construction Inspection Report for Muscoy Plume Operable Unit Remedial Action- Transmission Pipeline Phase 1 Construction | |
| 11/01/05 | MUSCOY OU: Construction Inspection Report for Pipeline Phase I, Phase II and Undercrossing | |
| 11/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for November 2005 | |
| 12/01/05 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for December 2005 | |
| 01/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for January 2006 | |
| 02/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for February 2006 | |
| 03/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for March 2006 | |
| 04/01/06 | MUSCOY OU: Construction Inspection Report for GAC Vessels | |
| 04/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for April 2006 | |
| 05/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for May 2006 | |
| 06/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for June 2006 | |
| 07/01/06 | MUSCOY OU: Construction Inspection Report for 19th Street Plant and Encanto Park Booster Pump Station | |
| 07/01/06 | MUSCOY OU: Installation of Extraction Wells EW-108 through EW-112 and Monitoring Wells MW-135 through MW-140 | |
| 07/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for July 2006 | |
| 08/01/06 | MUSCOY OU: Performance Evaluation Monthly Progress Report for October 2005 | |
| 08/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for August 2006 | |
| 08/01/06 | Performance Evaluation Monthly Progress Report for August 2005 for Muscoy Plume Operable Unit Remedial Action | |
| 08/01/06 | Performance Evaluation Monthly Progress Report for September 2005 for Muscoy Plume Operable Unit Remedial Action | |
| 09/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for September 2006 | |
| 09/01/06 | Performance Evaluation Monthly Progress Report for December 2005 for Muscoy Plume Operable Unit Remedial Action | |
| 09/01/06 | Performance Evaluation Monthly Progress Report for January 2006 for Muscoy Plume Operable Unit Remedial Action | |
| 10/01/06 | NEWMARK OU/MUSCOY OU: Monthly Progress Report for October 2006 | |
| 11/01/06 | #20 Monthly Progress Report For Newmark Operable Unit / Muscoy Operable Unit: November 2006 | |
| 12/01/06 | #21 Monthly Progress Report For Newmark Operable Unit / Muscoy Operable Unit: December 2006 | |
| 01/01/07 | #22 Monthly Progress Report For Newmark Operable Unit / Muscoy Operable Unit: January 2007 | |
| 11/01/07 | MUSCOY OU: Meeting Minutes (Weekly, Bi-Monthly, Monthly 2004-2007) | |
| 09/01/08 | Five-Year Review, September 2008 | |
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Public Information Repositories
The most complete collection of documents
is the official EPA site file, maintained at
the following location:
Superfund Records Center
Mail Stop SFD-7C
95 Hawthorne Street, Room 403
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 820-4700
Enter main lobby of 75 Hawthorne street,
go to 4th floor of South Wing Annex.
The public information repositories for
the site are at the following locations:
San Bernardino Water Department
300 E Street
San Bernardino, CA
Water Resources Institute
California State University San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway
PL 401
San Bernardino, CA 92407-2393
909 537 7683
John M. Pfau Library
Cal-State San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
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Contacts
|
Name |
Phone Number |
Email |
Address |
| EPA Site Manager |
ZiZi Searles |
415-972-3178 |
Searles.ZiZi@epamail.epa.gov |
Mail Code SFD71
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
EPA Community
Involvement Coordinator |
Leana Rosetti |
415-972-3070
1-800-231-3075 |
Rosetti.Leana@epamail.epa.gov |
Mail Code SFD63
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
EPA Public Information
Center |
|
(415) 947-8701 |
r9.info@epamail.epa.gov |
|
| State Contact |
Stephen Niou, DTSC |
714-484-5458 |
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| PRP Contact |
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| Community Contact |
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| Other Contacts |
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After Hours
(Emergency Response) |
US EPA |
(800) 424-8802 |
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